Bonds

Chapter 73

-Alex’s POV-

We stood there, a tableau of shock and simmering tension. Her eyes, wide and glassy, seemed to stare right through me, threatening to shatter into a million pieces.

I wasn’t supposed to be here. I hated everything about a park. It reminded me of what I never had as a child. Yet, here I was because even though I had tried to fight it, my wolf would always be at attuned to her.

Everything had been going smoothly at the office. Ivan’s books checked out clean, the contract was signed, solidifying my ownership of a perfect 45% stake. No meetings lined up, just a day to unwind. Well, unwind wouldn’t exactly describe the tense atmosphere with Miranda at home. Not in the mood for another argument, I’d opted for a drive with my driver. Then, passing the park, a low growl rumbled through my wolf. Unease prickled my skin.

So I went for a drive. It wasn’t like I was following anyone, but my wolf seemed agitated when we passed the park. I instructed my driver to turn around, and that’s when I saw it – a flash of bright red hair through the trees. My feet moved before my mind could catch up, and before! knew it, I was almost by her side. A car sped off, leaving her alone in the middle of the field.

The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating and we continued to stand there, rapped in an unspoken language of stares. Finally, I broke the eye contact, the raw urge from my wolf threatening to spill over. I had to before I did something stupid like kiss her again and with that thought, my gaze fell to her lips.

She just continued staring at me then after a while, turned around to leave without a single word.

“Amaya,” I blurted out before she could disappear. Her shoulders tensed at the sound of her name, but she didn’t stop walking. Frustration bubbled up. “Amaya, stop walking,” I repeated, my voice firmer this time.

It was pointless to fight it. I unleashed a sliver of my alpha aura, a subtle pressure that demanded her attention. She whirled around, her eyes blazing with a fire I remembered all too well. “What do you want from me, Alex? Are you following me?!”

“Following you?” I scoffed, mirroring her irritated tone.

you should be here.”

“You hate parks so I don’t see any other reason yo

“I still hate parks.”

countered, her voice laced with disbelief. “Maybe

I said dripping with

eyes narrowed, her voice tight. “This is

drawer?” My question hung heavy

of fear. I could get you arrested,” I continued, watching her struggle

a deep breath, trying to project strength. “Then get on with it,”

once again, thicker and heavier than before. Neither of us spoke, just stared at each other, locked in

10:26

Sat, 22

Chapter 73

90%

couldn’t take

nothing to say about the pictures?” I

the anger barely contained. “The pictures? What do you want

angry, I was furious. “Coward? You

I always wondered why? Just why? You came

her eyes, threatening to spill. For a moment, her anger

appeared, the vulnerability vanished. She stepped back, wiping a stray tear, her

you.”

This time, I

against my skin as she slashed out

even ask, Alex. Not once. You didn’t even try to understand. All those years, all the trust we built gone. Just like that.” Her hand chopped through the air, mimicking a falling object. “You threw the divorce papers at me, kicked me out of our home… you didn’t even ask me if

Were. Real.”

check. The moment the photos landed on my desk with a note, I didn’t want to believe it. I had spent days, nights even, poring over those pictures. Every detail, every grain of the image. They had looked authentic. Too authentic. She wouldn’t do that to me. He

everything? You know how hard it was for me to trust people, to finally let you in? And